Description
Crispy low carb baked chicken tenders bring a healthier twist to classic comfort food. Almond flour coating and bold seasonings create irresistible crunch without excess carbohydrates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) chicken tenders or chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- ½ cup (60 g) almond flour
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- cooking spray or olive oil, for greasing
Instructions
- Preparation: Activate oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper or wire rack for optimal crispiness.
- Moisture Removal: Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken tenders, eliminating excess moisture to guarantee a crunchy exterior.
- Coating Preparation: Whisk egg and heavy cream in one shallow bowl; mix almond flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in another bowl to create a robust seasoning blend.
- Breading Process: Dip each tender into egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then meticulously coat with seasoned almond flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Positioning: Strategically place breaded tenders on prepared baking sheet, maintaining spacing to facilitate uniform cooking and crisp development.
- Pre-Baking Enhancement: Lightly spray or drizzle tenders with cooking spray or olive oil to promote golden browning and textural complexity.
- Cooking Technique: Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure consistent coloration and thorough cooking.
- Doneness Verification: Confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using meat thermometer to guarantee food safety.
- Serving Suggestion: Present immediately alongside preferred low-carb dipping sauces like ranch, sugar-free ketchup, or spicy mayo for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Moisture Control: Pat chicken tenders completely dry before breading to guarantee maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
- Breading Technique: Press coating gently but firmly onto chicken, ensuring complete and even coverage for consistent crunch and flavor distribution.
- Temperature Accuracy: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal chicken temperature reaches exactly 165°F, preventing undercooking while maintaining juiciness.
- Spacing Strategy: Arrange tenders with small gaps between pieces on baking sheet to promote air circulation and achieve uniform golden-brown exterior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 336
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 412 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg